The grandmother of thirteen children, Zubaida Abd Elaal decided at the age of 87 to learn to read and write. He says that he always wanted to study, but his old father prevented his dreams.
Zubaida Abd Elaal87, says that she dreamed of studying as a child, but her elderly father did not want the girl to get an education.
– He said that it is wrong for girls to study. My brothers were allowed to study, says Abd Elaal.
But in his old days, Abd Elaala was offered the opportunity to study.
Abd Elaal says that he was first suggested to be homeschooled. However, he refused this, because he wanted to experience the atmosphere of the school class and achieve something bridge that is not dictated by others.
– I said [opettajalle], that I want to come to school and enjoy that feeling. I wanted to sit at the desk. I did my best, I wanted to achieve something and not just be led around by someone else. This is life.
Now Abd Elaal is studying in Egypt, in the Nile Delta city of Minuf, and he has just learned to read and write.
The mother of eight children and grandmother of thirteen children said that she insisted that her daughters also study.
To make sure that the daughters did not drop out of their studies, Abd Elaal used to buy and sell goods on the street where the girls’ school is located. This is how she made sure the daughters actually went to school.
Abd Elaal says that he not only plans to continue his studies and get a degree, but he also wants to encourage other adults to study.
In Egypt, one in three adult women are illiterate
Literate people are among the adult population of Egypt of the 2021 measurements (you switch to another service) according to about 73 percent. About 78.8 percent of adult men can read, about 67 percent of women.
However, efforts have been made in Egypt to increase the number of literates among the adult population, says the coordinator of the adult literacy project of the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity Suzy Sobhi Sanad.
– The ministry’s goal is to educate one million illiterate adults in three years.
Suzy Sobhi Sanad works as a teacher of Zubaida Abd Elaal in addition to her role as project coordinator.
– When we started working and met Zubaida, it became clear that he is very passionate and loves to study, says Sobhi Sanad.
Sobhi Sanad says that Abd Elaal’s age caused some concern at the ministry, but after clarification, Abd Elaal was given the opportunity to start studying.
– We contacted the ministry to find out if it would be successful. The ministry welcomed it. He is persistent and determined.
Source: Reuters